A New Voyage to Carolina | Page 4

Fatigues, and
Dangers; whereby they gain a good Correspondence with the Indians,
and acquaint themselves with their Speech and Customs; and so make
considerable Discoveries in a short time. Witness, their Journals from
Canada, to the Missisipi, and its several Branches, where they have
effected great Matters, in a few Years.
Having spent most of my Time, during my eight Years Abode in
Carolina, in travelling; I not only survey'd the Sea-Coast and those
Parts which are already inhabited by the Christians, but likewise view'd
a spatious Tract of Land, lying betwixt the Inhabitants and the Ledges
of Mountains, from whence our noblest Rivers have their Rise, running
towards the Ocean, where they water as pleasant a Country as any in
Europe; the Discovery of which being never yet made publick, I have,
in the following Sheets, given you a faithful Account thereof, wherein I
have laid down every thing with Impartiality, and Truth, which is
indeed, the Duty of every Author, and preferable to a smooth Stile,
accompany'd with Falsities and Hyperboles.
Great Part of this pleasant and healthful Country is inhabited by none
but Savages, who covet a Christian Neighbourhood, for the Advantage
of Trade, and enjoy all the Comforts of Life free from Care and Want.
But not to amuse my Readers any longer with the Encomium of
Carolina, I refer 'em to my Journal, and other more particular

Description of that Country and its Inhabitants, which they will find
after the Natural History thereof, in which I have been very exact, and
for Method's sake, rang'd each Species under its distinct and proper
Head.

INTRODUCTION.

In the Year 1700, when People flock'd from all Parts of the Christian
World, to see the Solemnity of the Grand Jubilee at Rome, my
Intention, at that Time, being to travel, I accidentally met with a
Gentleman, who had been Abroad, and was very well acquainted with
the Ways of Living in both Indies; of whom, having made Enquiry
concerning them, he assur'd me, that Carolina was the best Country I
could go to; and, that there then lay a Ship in the Thames, in which I
might have my Passage. I laid hold on this Opportunity, and was not
long on Board, before we fell down the River, and sail'd to Cowes;
where, having taken in some Passengers, we proceeded on our Voyage
'till we sprung a-leak, and were forc'd into the Islands of Scilly. Here
we spent about 10 Days in refitting; in which Time we had a great deal
of Diversion in Fishing and Shooting on those rocky Islands. The
Inhabitants were very courteous and civil, especially the Governor, to
whose good Company and Favour, we were very much oblig'd. There
is a Town on one of these Islands, where is good Entertainment for
those that happen to come in, though the Land is but mean, and
Flesh-meat not Plenty. They have good Store of Rabbits, Quails, and
Fish; and you see at the poor Peoples Doors great Heaps of
Perriwinkle-shells, those Fish being a great Part of their Food. On the
1st Day of May, having a fair Wind at East, we put to Sea, and were on
the Ocean (without speaking to any Vessel, except a Ketch bound from
New England to Barbadoes, laden with Horses, Fish, and Provisions)
'till the latter End of July, when the Winds hung so much Southerly,
that we could not get to our Port, but put into Sandyhook-bay, and went
up to New York, after a pinching Voyage, caus'd by our long Passage.
We found at the Watering-Place, a French Man of War, who had on
Board Men and Necessaries to make a Colony, and was intended for
the Messiasippi River, there to settle. The Country of New-York is very
pleasant in Summer, but in the Winter very cold, as all the Northern

Plantations are. Their chief Commodities are Provisions, Bread, Beer,
Lumber, and Fish in abundance; all which are very good, and some
Skins and Furrs are hence exported. The City is govern'd by a Mayor,
(as in England) is seated on an Island, and lies very convenient for
Trade and Defence, having a regular Fort, and well mounted with Guns.
The Buildings are generally of a smaller Sort of Flemish Brick, and of
the Dutch Fashion, (excepting some few Houses:) They are all very
firm and good Work, and conveniently plac'd, as is likewise the Town,
which gives a very pleasant Prospect of the neighbouring Islands and
Rivers. A good Part of the Inhabitants are Dutch, in whose Hands this
Colony once was. After a Fortnight's Stay here, we put out from
Sandyhook, and in 14 Days after, arriv'd at Charles-Town, the
Metropolis of South Carolina, which is soituate in 32, 45 North
Latitude, and admits of